Welcome to the group!

Alcoholism is a symptom of deeper emotional issues which is why it is listed as a mental health disorder.
I stopped drinking hundreds of times but I would relapse within days each and every time. I just couldn't do it alone. I knew I needed help. So I went through an IOP (Intensive Outpatient Program). If you live in the USA, every major hospital has one.

When I went through intake, it was discovered I was suffering from ptsd which I didn't even know I had but it made sense when the counselor gave me the reasons why. I was treated for that during the 3 week program which made staying sober, alot easier. I also learned coping skills which taught me how to deal with stress and every day problems so I wouldn't have to handle them with a drink.

After the IOP, I went through more counseling. Throughout all the therapy I had, regular attendance at AA meetings were a requirement and after the first meeting, I could see why. AA gave me hope. I was given a sponsor who was my lifeline in the first few months when my sobriety was still in a fragile state. He made himself available to me by phone, 24/7 and guided me through many cravings. I am not sure I could have made it without him.

I also got support here in this forum by sending out friend requests, and by talking to those who had been in my shoes, so I would know what to expect. I also journaled alot and when I go back and read those early journals, I am amazed at how far I have come! That was a few days shy of 11 years ago. Now I have a great life and I have never been happier!

There are alot of ways to get sober. Many go to AA meetings, and get a sponsor and do the steps. The steps really helped me alot. They healed my soul. Talking to your doctor would be a wonderful first step. My doctor put me on antidepressant medication which I no longer take and she was the first person to give me support and discussed available treatment options with me.

Good luck on your road to recovery and may you find peace and happiness along the way. Keep us posted. The path you take, might help someone else.

God Bless

The strength didn’t skip you. You simply pushed it away by giving in to the addiction. I promise it’s still there, along with your will. Hiding, waiting for you to take it out and polish the tarnish off. I know. I’ve been there. Before I started my sober lifestyle I didn’t understand how flawed my thinking had become. My mind was never calm. My anxiety (fears) and wrong perceptions ran my life without me. Add in the alcohol in my system and I didn’t have a chance of living a good life. I thought that my mess was too big to clean up. I was wrong. Now I see that my perception of myself was terribly twisted by an unhealthy mind. I had such low self esteem because I didn’t feel like an adult anymore. But this realization came months after practicing abstinence. My sobriety has changed how I see the world and myself. Clearly and with compassion. I had to learn to want it for myself one day, sometimes one minute at a time. The grace of your spirit and the wonder of your body deserve better than to be fed poison. You need to take back your mind and turn your back on the dark sucking hole that will swallow you down. Fight to get sober. Know that it’s the most important thing you can do. Leave the curse of addiction behind you. I drank LOTS of water the first week or two. Others have suggested sports drinks as they have sugar. Bests.

Booze worked. It made me feel ok. Problem was I became addicted. Alcohol is a drug. I have a problem and drink too much when I have the first one. I remember when I joined this site. It was a fe2 weeks later I hi5 my bottom. I woke up, poured out my bottle ( there was only a finger amount left ). I googled an aa meeting and went. That was June 9 2012. It takes action and help. I couldn’t quit alone. I tried a million times.

Life is just waiting for the sober you to start enjoying things again. Cmon!

1is2many

I hear you! I got on this site last night. I've been pacing as I am bored and my mind is telling me to go drink(my stomach isn't). I'm glad I found this site.

You are stronger that you can imagine and it gets better, way better than how you are feeling right now.

I would suggest that you find an AA meeting that you can attend right away. If you have never been to one before, know that there are caring people that have been where you are now and have made it through to sobriety. You are not alone and we are not meant to do life alone.

You can win the hour, win the day... One moment at a time.

Don't be afraid to dig deeper beyond the immediate craving and think about when/why you started drinking. It will give you something else to focus on and in starting there, you will be distracted from the immediate craving, For me, I started drinking to hide from my life, from anxiety and stress. The problem was it only created more problems, stress and anxiety. It has been 8 months of sobriety for me and I have dug deep to let go of the hurts and hangups that were polluting my life. I have so much peace and I can trust myself. It feels really good,

Reach out, there is joy in the journey. Do not give up... If you slip or can't start your journey, look for a new tool to get you going. Read other peoples story and success, Believe that you can do it too.

Hope you are well.